4 Car Noises And What They Might Mean

Vroom, vroom, vroom – there’s nothing quite like the sound of an engine. Whether it’s an average, run-of-the-mill vehicle or a Formula 1 car, it gets the blood pumping. Sadly, not all noises are positive. In fact, the majority are pretty negative. Being industrial machines, these finely tuned pieces of equipment are perfectly balanced. But, when something goes wrong, the performance tips and they transform into a heap of junk. Sorry, but it’s true. If your car is making an unwelcome noise, it may be a sign that it’s time for a change, or you may need to see a mechanic.

Here are four to listen out for and what they may mean.

Whistling

This is by far the most annoying. It’s a high-pitched whistle that sends the dog crazy. It’s as if it was made for animals with advanced hearing. The good news is it may be something innocuous such as the weather stripping coming loose. Cool, no big deal. However, it may also be a sign that the hoses in the engine are cracked and the air is whistling through them. As you probably know, this is a pretty big deal because hoses regulate the cooling system, so without them, the engine may overheat. Another alternative is that the radiator pressure cap is broken.

Loud Idling

Also known as a knocking sound, this one is difficult to ignore. Well, it’s easy to put to the back of your mind, but there’s no doubt that something is wrong. The engine should roar, especially if there are advancements to increase the sound. Still, it should have a certain rhythm, and it must be smooth too. A loud knocking noise suggests there is something wrong with the cylinder compression. High pressure can cause the car to sound noisier than usual, plus it wrecks the engine. Also, check the spark plugs.

Squeaking

A squeaking sound is very distinguishable. Why? It mainly occurs when you tap the brakes. You’ll find car crash stats at Abels & Annes and these happen because of dodgy equipment. Lots of motorists go to slow down, only to discover that the brakes aren’t as effective as usual. Of course, this is a major health hazard and something you want to avoid at all costs. Typically, the pads tend to rub on one another because there isn’t enough lubricant. As a result, the metal on metal action destroys the brakes and makes them less likely to work. Any sound attributed to the brakes needs checking asap.

Clangs

There’s a chance that you’ve hit something without realizing. As crazy as this sounds, plenty of drivers run over a piece of debris in the road. Others clip walls and cars, too. Think about the last time you knocked a wing mirror and the sound that followed. However, it could be something more dangerous relating to the suspension. The way to figure it out is to drive over a speed bump and listen. If they are clattering and clanging, then something may be loose on the bottom of the vehicle.